Buck Ryan Named First Snake River Waterkeeper

“Buck” Ryan has been appointed as the Snake River Waterkeeper and will work to protect and preserve the Snake River Basin and surrounding waterways. It’s a huge job, explains Marc Yaggi, Executive Director, Waterkeeper Alliance: “Waterkeepers defend their communities against anyone who threatens their right to clean water– from law-breaking polluters to irresponsible governments.”

Read more in the press release below.

Buck Ryan Named First Snake River Waterkeeper: Newly Formed Environmental Group to Patrol and Protect Snake River and Tributaries

BOISE, IDAHO (May 28, 2014) – The Waterkeeper Alliance Board of Directors approved the Snake River Waterkeeper on March 31, 2014. F.S “Buck” Ryan, III, the newly appointed Waterkeeper, will work to protect and preserve the Snake River Basin and surrounding waterways by combining his firsthand knowledge of the waterway and legal experience with an unwavering commitment to the rights of communities and citizens of Idaho and Wyoming.

“Waterkeeper Alliance is thrilled to have Buck Ryan as the eyes, ears, and voice for this vital watershed,” said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Waterkeeper Alliance President. “The theft of our public waters by polluters,” said Mr. Kennedy, “is not acceptable. Buck is the right leader to fight for clean water in the Snake River region.”  The Snake River Waterkeeper will be a full-time advocate for the Snake River and its tributaries including the Clearwater and Salmon rivers, protecting and restoring water quality through community action and enforcement. “Snake River Waterkeeper’s aim,” said Mr. Ryan, “is to advocate for clean water to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Idaho and Wyoming. The river is a vital resource for drinking water, recreation, biological health, wildlife and tourism.”  “Buck has a big job. Waterkeepers defend their communities against anyone who threatens their right to clean water– from law-breaking polluters to irresponsible governments,” stated Marc Yaggi, Executive Director, Waterkeeper Alliance. “Until our public agencies have the means necessary to protect us from polluters and the will to enforce our laws, we need to stand up with grassroots advocates like Snake River Waterkeeper to fight for our right to clean water.”

Snake River Waterkeeper will work on watershed-related issues from the river’s headwaters in Wyoming across the Idaho plain to its confluence with the Columbia River in Kennewick, Washington. By focusing on the Basin as a whole, Snake River Waterkeeper is uniquely positioned to address widespread systemic threats, advocate for meaningful improvement to water and land management, and address issues specific to local rivers and streams. The critical nature of the Waterkeeper’s role is evidenced by the Snake River’s chronic pollution and a lack of monitoring and enforcement of environmental laws along most of its reach.  No other organization focuses on water quality monitoring, agency accountability, instream flows, and fish habitat improvement across the Snake River’s broad reach. With valuable contributions from local citizen groups, volunteers, and grassroots supporters, Snake River Waterkeeper is leading the movement to improve water quality by creating awareness and demanding law enforcement and sustainable water management. Become a member at www.snakeriverwaterkeeper.org and follow Snake River Waterkeeper on Facebook for action alerts and volunteer opportunities.

Waterkeeper Alliance is a global movement uniting more than 200 Waterkeeper organizations and focusing citizen advocacy on the issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change. Waterkeepers patrol more than 1.5 million square miles of rivers, streams and coastlines in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. Waterkeeper Alliance was founded in 1999 by veteran Waterkeepers and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Learn more at www.waterkeeper.org or follow @Waterkeeper on Twitter and Facebook.

Contact:

Marc Yaggi, Executive Director, Waterkeeper Alliance (212) 747-0622 x14
Buck Ryan (208) 806-1303